BYLAWS

Purpose and Goals

Under the guidelines of a franchise in good standing of the Babe Ruth League®, Inc., the purpose of the Kearsarge Mountain South Baseball Softball League (also known as KMS) is to provide an opportunity for children from the ages of 4-16 years of age, to learn the fundamentals of baseball and softball and to facilitate their enjoyable participation in this. Objectives include the development of positive character traits and a knowledge, appreciation, and interest in baseball and softball. The primary goal of this program is for all boys and girls who sign up to be placed on a team and given the opportunity to participate. 

Article 1 – Description and Function of the KMS League 


Section 1 

The KMS League will be composed of organizations participating and approved by the Babe Ruth League® District, State Commissions, and the KMS Board. Expansion of the KMS Babe Ruth League® franchise outside the current district requires approval by the Babe Ruth League® District and State Commissions and a two-thirds majority vote (as defined in Article 1 Section 4) of the KMS Board. The KMS League franchise will be made up of eight separate organizations offering baseball and or softball. The following organizations are current: Weare Athletic Club (WAC), Hillsboro Youth Athletics Association (HYAA), Henniker Youth Athletics Committee (HYAC), Bradford/Newbury/Sutton Youth Sports (BNSYS), Warner Youth Sports Association (WYSA), Sunapee Recreation, Antrim Recreation, and New Boston Recreation.

 

Section 2 

A Board of Directors will govern the KMS League. The Board of Directors (KMS Board) shall consist of the following officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. 

The KMS board will also be composed of representative(s) from each of the organizations that are in good standing in the KMS League, of more than three and not to exceed 16 representatives. Each Member can have up to two representatives (one baseball, and one softball).


Section 3 

The KMS Board shall meet on a regular monthly basis, scheduled by the KMS League President or at the request of a majority of KMS Board members in good standing. 


Section 4 

A quorum shall consist of having a representative from two-thirds of the organizations in good standing in the KMS League. Each organization in good standing shall be allotted only 1 vote, per director. An organization is considered in ‘good standing’ if the organization has its own baseball/softball program, participates in the KMS League, and also regularly attends KMS board meetings. 




Section 5

members and officers, etc.) shall require a quorum (as defined in Article 1 Section 4).

 

Section 6 

The KMS Board shall split all overhead costs evenly at the end of a season between each team chartered. These shared costs represent fees required of the KMS League, such as insurance and administrative costs to be borne by the full KMS League for the benefit of all players. The cost per team will be consistent across all organizations, regardless of organization size, number of players, or how each of the participating organizations raise the required cost. The KMS League Treasurer will ensure proper billing records, based on team count from each organization. 


Article II – Officers and other KMS League positions 


Section 1 

Officers shall be elected by the KMS Board at the annual January meeting, with the terms of office to be one year. Should an office become vacant during the term, the President shall ask for a volunteer or nominations for a replacement, which will require a two-thirds majority vote (as defined in Article 1 Section 4) of the KMS Board for the nominee to be seated. 


 The Officers shall consist of: 

·       President

·       Vice President

·       Treasurer

·       Secretary 

 

Section 2

            Board Members - 


1.     The KMS League franchise will be made up of eight separate organizations, offering baseball and or softball. Each director will be considered a “Board Member” upon their acceptance into their individual organization’s “board”. 

2.     It is expected that each director will attend all KMS League Board meetings(12 Annually)

3.     At a minimum, five meetings annually are required. If five or more meetings are missed without just cause, the KMS League Board will notify the individual organization, requesting a representative be present at the next regularly scheduled meeting. If no representative attends, a notification of dismissal shall be sent and follow the guidelines of Article V of the KMS League bylaws.

 

Article III – Powers and Duties 


The powers, duties, and responsibilities of the KMS Board Officers are as follows: 


Section 1 - President 

1. Direct and guide the KMS League. 

2. Carry out the will of the members as expressed by a majority vote. 

3. Represent and speak on behalf of the KMS League. 

4. Attend all Babe Ruth League® District and State meetings and report those meeting minutes to the KMS Board. 

5. Preside at meetings of the KMS Board 

6. Carry out such other duties as requested by the KMS Board. 

7. Ensure all measures, including KMS League insurance coverage, are taken to ensure that the   KMS League is an eligible participant in all Babe Ruth League® sanctioned events. 

8. Create and send out a meeting agenda prior to each meeting.

 

Section 2 - Vice President

1.      Assist the President in any and all KMS League duties.

2.      Carry out the will of the members as expressed by a majority vote.

3.      Represent and speak on behalf of the KMS League when the President is unable.

4.      Ensure full and accurate meeting notes are taken and distributed for validation and reference concerning actions taken or agreements made by the KMS Board.

 

Section 3 - Treasurer 

1. Receive all monies for deposits/disbursement and maintain the KMS League’s checking and savings accounts.

2. Keep an exact account of all receipts and expenditures of monies and all monies on hand. 

3. Prepare an accurate, written, and current Treasurer’s report for all KMS Board Meetings.   -This is defined as a financial sheet including income, expenditures, and year-to-date account balance. 

4. Pay all bills in a timely manner. 

5. Prepare all records for an annual audit and file all required forms (typically Federal Non-Profit Organization Form 990 EZ) with the Internal Revenue Service. 

6. Prepare an annual financial report for approval by the KMS Board. 

 

Section 4 - Secretary 

1. Record meeting minutes, including attendance at meetings. 

2. Maintain records for meeting minutes so that all members have reasonable access to the complete history of meeting minutes 

3. Maintain a record of the election of officers. 

 

Article IV – Amendments 

Section 1 

The Bylaws may only be amended at a duly called KMS Board meeting, with a minimum of 15 days notification. 


Section 2 

A two-thirds vote (as defined in Article 1 Section 4) of the KMS Board as defined above is required to amend these Bylaws. 

 

Article V – Dismissal from the KMS League 

Section 1 

Any KMS Board member of the KMS League may be removed by a two-thirds vote (as defined in Article 1 Section 4) of the full KMS Board. Causation shall be defined as a violation of Babe Ruth League® standards or Code of Conduct, violation of Babe Ruth League rules or regulations, or violation of KMS League’s Code of Conduct or By-Laws. 

 

Section 2 

Said individual must be notified by written notification (mail or email is acceptable) of the specific charges. 

 

Section 3 

A meeting will be scheduled on a date agreeable to both parties, not to exceed 60 days from the date of notification. At said meeting, the individual will be presented with the opportunity to show just cause why he/she should not be removed from his/her position. This meeting may be held in person or electronically. 

 

Article VI – Ethics 

Section 1 

A person shall be disqualified and prohibited from serving with the KMS League in any capacity if this person is unable to pass a Babe Ruth standard required background check.

Section 2 

All representatives and team coaches are required to pass a background check prior to the election/appointment. Representatives must take reasonable measures to ensure that anyone assisting a team that they manage or oversee meets the criterion outlined in Article VI, Section 1. 

 

Article VII – Organizations 

Section 1 

Organizations are to be established in different towns based on available resources. Some towns may combine their resources to create one organization.

1. There is a maximum of one representative from each organization representing (1) baseball and (1) softball.

2. Each organization must have 

a. A field that will be their home field 

b. At least one Representative (director)

c. At least one team chartered

3. Ability to manage financial matters independent of the KMS Board 

 

Section 2 

The representative(s) managing an organization are responsible for all financial items that are specific to their organization including umpire fees if volunteer umpires cannot be found, collection of registration fees, storage of equipment, access to equipment, submitting roster information to the KMS Board, payment of KMS League fees to the KMS League, and for arranging access to fields for games and practice. 

 

Section 3 

Organizations are responsible for providing the uniforms that their players will use. 

 

Section 4 

Organizations are to set their registration fees independently to cover the required costs. 


Section 5

Players are to be rostered within the organization they permanently reside. Any change of this is 

to be approved, in writing, by the primary organization, receiving organization and the KMS 

League President. If one or more party disagrees, it shall be brought to a vote at the next 

regularly scheduled KMS board meeting.

Article VIII – Arbitration 

Section 1 

Arbitration for KMS League rules: All cases in which Organizations, teams, coaches, or players/parents would like an exception to any given rule should be addressed by the KMS Board. The KMS Board may, at its discretion, hear the case and either make a deliberation or choose not to address any specific case. 

Section 2 

Arbitration for games: Any dispute at a game should be resolved at the game by the umpire and coaches representing each team. All Teams are encouraged to leave all umpire decisions as final. If coaches have a disagreement the manner must be handled in a respectful and civil manner. Angry or aggressive behavior as perceived by the umpire shall be grounds to discontinue any arbitration discussion. Any arbitration that cannot be handled on the field can be brought to the KMS League for deliberation. The KMS League requires that all parties which request arbitration read the Code of Conduct & Bylaws and KMS League rules. 

Article IX – Dissolution 

Section 1 

In the event of dissolution, all assets and property of the Corporation shall, after payment of all liabilities and necessary expenses therefore, be distributed to a not-for-profit corporation of similar purpose, which may or may not have been created to succeed the Corporation, which is organized and is operated exclusively for the purposes specified in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 as from time to time amended. In the event no such organization of similar purpose exists, then the remaining assets and property of the Corporation shall be distributed to any fund, foundation, or organization which is organized and operated exclusively for the purposes specified in the aforementioned Section 501(C)(3). 

No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of any director or officer of the Corporation, or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the Corporation), and no director or officer of the Corporation, or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the Corporation’s assets upon dissolution. 

 






Version 1- Initial . 10-15-2024